A Picture of a Youth Cadre- Victim of Election Violence as reported by The Post Newspaper:For more on this story CLICK HEREFor more on the two Mufumbwe Deaths CLICK HERE

CDP is clarifying the saying "Youths are the Leaders of Tomorrow"

Recently,our Interim Party Chairman Mr. Robert Mwanza as well as our Interim Party Spokesman Mr Bobby S. Sampa (or "SS" as we call him), made an appearance on the respected Radio Phoenix Program, "Let the People Talk", hosted by veteran and distinguished journalist, Mr. Kenneth Maduma. Mr. Maduma was intrigued by our unusually strong focus on the youth and asked Mr. Mwanza to elaborate on what his thoughts were specifically on the role of youths in our country's direction.

Well, our Chairman did well to respond with our party's belief that this saying "the youth are the leaders of tomorrow", has been misapplied and indeed misused as a basis to have our youth be used as mere tools to advance the selfish goals of a few, rather than as agents for change. Imagine if our African greats such as Nelson Mandela, Kenneth Kaunda, Samora Machel, Simon Kapwepwe, Kwame Nkrumah (to name a few) had listened to this oft misunderstood quote that "youth are the leaders of tomorrow", Lest we forget, these were all young men at the time. Africa would not have attained the freedom granted at that time. These greats captured the energy and radicalism only found in youth, and converted it to make history- that of freedom.

For far too long, the Zambian Youth have been illicitly used by our current politicians to advance short term partisan causes with absolutely no benefit to the youth themselves, let alone our nation’s plight. What we have seen occur in the past years, not just from the MMD, but the PF and UPND is abuse of the youth’s zeal. The youth are constantly and unashamedly used as militia at the personal disposal of selfish politicians. It is unfortunate that the political organizations which are supposedly formed to safeguard our citizenry, pounce on the youths’ eagerness to make a change in our country, and twist it to where we the youth begin to intimidate our citizenry as a means to advance individualistic goals on behalf of our misguided politicians.

As youth we are going to need to take matters in our own hands and promote tolerance and understanding despite our different backgrounds and party affiliation. Being a responsible citizen entails considering the consequences of our politicking if we are to alter the course of our nation. We as youth have been misrepresented and abused for much too long, not just in Zambia, but the entire Africa. Therefore, we are appealing to ALL youths, regardless of party affiliation, that we act accordingly because the future belongs to us. We need to spread a different and mature culture of politics if we are to be responsible future leaders.

As full, equal and recognized CDP Youth Members we are taking this "mis-opportunity" to plead to our fellow youth that next time we will represent ourselves with dignity. We will take the path to be responsible citizens and leaders by promoting tolerance, and having non-violent debates.

PLEASE WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN POLITICS.